Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists
Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists
Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists
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Ministry <strong>of</strong> Defense <strong>and</strong> Iraqi Army <strong>Logistics</strong>Growing CapacityThe Ministry <strong>of</strong> Defense’s (MoD) limited logistics <strong>and</strong> sustainment capacity hasimproved, but remains a key area for development. First <strong>and</strong> second line supply <strong>and</strong>maintenance at the organizational <strong>and</strong> division level existed throughout the Iraqi Army(IA) <strong>and</strong> continued to improve in capability <strong>and</strong> delivery <strong>of</strong> services. There was ashortfall, however, in third line supply <strong>and</strong> maintenance capability. The MoD stillrequired significant Coalition assistance, especially in warehouse <strong>and</strong> depot operations.Plans were underway to transfer responsibility for ammunition <strong>and</strong> supply warehouseoperations from the Coalition to Iraqi control. The transfer <strong>of</strong> responsibility for nationalsupply <strong>and</strong> ammunition depots from the Coalition to Iraqi forces was to occur by the end<strong>of</strong> 2008 <strong>and</strong> maintenance depots by the end <strong>of</strong> 2009. By the end <strong>of</strong> 2008, the Iraqi Armycapability for strategic transport was to have greatly improved with the donation <strong>of</strong> over400 German vehicles, many intended for 4th line transportation.Taji National Depot ComplexThe development <strong>of</strong> Taji as a national supply <strong>and</strong> maintenance depot <strong>and</strong> logisticstraining base was moving forward. Construction <strong>of</strong> national-level maintenance <strong>and</strong>warehousing facilities at Taji were scheduled to come on line sequentially beginning inspring 2008, with the full set <strong>of</strong> depot capabilities completed by the summer <strong>of</strong> 2009.Once completed, the Taji National Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Supply Depots – coupled with basesupport units (Location Comm<strong>and</strong>s) <strong>and</strong> deployable logistics battalions – would providethe MoD with a nationwide operational supply <strong>and</strong> distribution system.Location Comm<strong>and</strong>sThe MoD had decided to develop 13 fixed-site logistics base support units calledLocation Comm<strong>and</strong>s to support each Iraqi Army division. Eight such LocationComm<strong>and</strong>s already existed. All 13 Location Comm<strong>and</strong>s were targeted for fulloperational capability by the end <strong>of</strong> calendar year 2008. The Location Comm<strong>and</strong>s wouldbe responsible for all 3rd Line maintenance <strong>and</strong> supply. The plan to locate divisionallogistics battalions at support bases further emphasized the recruitment <strong>and</strong> training <strong>of</strong>specialized skills required to execute logistics operations.<strong>Logistics</strong> Training<strong>Logistics</strong> training has been conducted at either Regional or Divisional Training Centers(for basic specialty training), or at the Iraqi Army Support <strong>and</strong> Services Institute (IASSI)for intermediate logistics. While the IASSI facilities at Taji were adequate, they sufferedfrom a shortage <strong>of</strong> qualified trainers <strong>and</strong> electrical power, which together have hadnegative impacts on training throughput. With some attention to these issues, IASSIcould serve as a model national logistics training center to accommodate the growingneeds <strong>of</strong> the Iraqi Army for exp<strong>and</strong>ed logistics capabilities.70
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